courtesy of Zillow

According to an article on Forbes.com,  we may not have flying cars yet, but a new residential construction project going up in Sunny Isles Beach, Fla., may make you think otherwise.

The Porsche Design Tower will feature an elevator to lift owners — and their cars — to their front doors in seconds. A co-production of developer Dezer Properties and Porsche Design Group, the retail-oriented spin-off company of the luxury German carmaker, it will be the first residential project affiliated with the Porsche name. These car-friendly condos will range from $2.9 million to $9 million.

“You will drive into the building, onto the elevator ramp, shut the ignition off and be magically whisked to the front door of your apartment in 45 seconds to a minute and 15 seconds depending on what floor you’re on,” explains Gil Dezer, president of Dezer Properties. The elevator will cover all 57 floors and include technology that automatically identifies the car and the unit owner once both are on board.

It’s just one example of how modern design aesthetics have coupled with technology to birth innovative, cutting-edge homes that not so long ago would have been reserved only for the sets of films like “Minority Report” (or TV shows like “The Jetsons”).

Forbes rounded up a selection of futuristic abodes that challenge traditional McMansion layouts. Some are relatively new homes designed with green living in mind while others are the decades-old brick and mortar visions of celebrated artists. Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Coldwell Banker Previews International, Sotheby’s International Realty and others helped Forbes sort through listings to handpick the sleekest, most avant-garde, in some cases zaniest, homes on the market. They conjure images of science fiction lore, and in many cases, have actually been rented out by movie and television studios for that express reason.

Forbes.com slideshow: See some futuristic homes that are for sale

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Maytag brand’s latest line of freestanding ranges offer homeowners an innovation to self-clean the oven interior with an exclusive enamel oven coating, low heat and water to release baked-on spills in less than one hour.

At a generous capacity of up to 6.2 cubic feet, Maytag ranges have an industry-leading capacity and are the first to offer AquaLift self-clean technology.

Additional performance features combine the power of the bake and broil burners, convection fan and power vents to preheat in eight minutes.The ranges have been engineered with an exclusive enamel oven coating that activates with water and low heat, allowing moisture to release tough baked-on messes. In less than an hour, the oven is ready for a final wipe-down to remove food and debris, with no odor or extreme heat like traditional high-temperature self-clean ovens.

“Whether it’s the lasagna that bubbled over or the pie filling that dripped, oven spills happen to all of us. But thanks to AquaLift self-clean technology, you can now get your oven clean without the long wait, high heat or odors associated with a traditional self-clean,” said Kate Davidson, senior brand manager, Maytag brand.

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Grabbing a mortgage loan has become a challenging task in recent years. Don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

Lending standards will remain tight in 2012, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to snag a mortgage with an attractive rate. Savvy borrowers who understand the rules and prepare in advance will improve their chances of success.

These tips will help you stay on top of your game as you try to secure a mortgage in 2012.

Study your credit

Good credit is the key to snagging a mortgage in this tight lending environment. Get copies of your credit scores and credit history from the three main credit reporting bureaus. Study the reports carefully to make sure there are no errors or issues to resolve before applying.

Prepare before you start

There are some basic documents every lender requests when you apply for a mortgage. Don’t wait for them to ask.

Know how much you can afford

Don’t rely on your lender to tell you how much mortgage you qualify for and then borrow the maximum amount

Shop around

Shopping around for a mortgage should go beyond comparing interest rates.

Time is of the essence

Once you submit your mortgage application to the lender, the clock starts ticking.

Mortgage approved? Your credit must stay put until closing

After the lender pulls your credit and says you’ve been approved, don’t assume you’ve won the battle.

Consider a refi with no closing costs

You don’t always have to spend money to save money when refinancing.

Consider a shorter-term loan

Because interest rates are at or near rock bottom, short-term loans have become more affordable for many borrowers.

Receive a gift? Be ready to explain it

Did your parents or in-laws give you a few thousand dollars as a gift to help out with the down payment? If so, congratulations — but make sure you can document and explain where you got the money.

Be persistent

If one lender rejects your mortgage application, that doesn’t mean all lenders will.

Appraisal isn’t enough? Try again

If the home appraisal your lender received isn’t enough to back the mortgage loan and you think the appraiser is mistaken, try another lender.

Seek help

If you are behind on your mortgage or are struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments, seek counseling.

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Here are several articles and websites that provide more information about the new interior design trends for 2012:

N Design and Style - Bold Color Choices: Going all out with fierce eye-catching color options such as vibrant hues of yellows, oranges, aquas, and grassy greens will draw out the old and ring in the new with sleek and sophisticated touches of modernity.

ReDoIt Design – A Taste of Spring: This sneak-peek at Designers Guild Spring/Summer 2012 Collection – Tricia Guild can do no color wrong! 

Design-Color-Staging – Comfortable Chic: Comfortable design, elegant style, luxurious materials and bright colors are back in favor. 

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Architects are licensed professionals. Like doctors and lawyers, they have completed university programs and lengthy internships, and they have passed a series of rigorous exams. Their training covers many areas, ranging from landscape design to structural engineering.

This diversity means that architects can see possibilities and find solutions to your special needs. While a builder or a home designer may make some adaptations at your request, a good architect will anticipate your needs – even if you are not sure how to express them.

What Architects Do

For some projects, architects wear many hats. They may create the design, do the drafting, select the materials and supervise the entire work process. Ideally, your architect will visit your building site and observe the direction of the sun, the placement of trees, and the location of the best views.

These services will add 8% to 12% to the final cost of building your home.

For other projects, the architect’s role may be limited to drafting the blueprints. If you can find stock blueprints similar to your own dream house, you may be able to hire an architect to make alterations. Changing an existing plan is always less expensive than designing a house from scratch.

Before drafting a design, a good architect will spend time talking with you and other members of your family.

What Architects Ask

• Where does your family watch television?
• How important is an informal dining room?
• Do you like to give parties?
• Do you regard the bedroom as a sanctuary where you spend many daytime hours? Or, is the bedroom simply a place to sleep?
• Do you need a private area for your computer? Or, would you prefer the home computing center be located in a central location where children can be supervised?
• What bothers you about the house you’re living in right now? And, what do you love about your current home?

Even if you are working within a tight budget, it does not make good economical sense to cut corners on design. Talented professionals will help you avoid costly mistakes – and can assure that the home you build is ideally suited for the way you live.

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Here’s a guide from House Logic to Christmas gifts for every budget, from under $50 to stocking stuffers that dreams are made of:

Gifts Under $50

Gutter rake: This plastic gunk grabber attaches to any broomstick or telescoping handle to extend your wingspan when cleaning rain gutters, an essential home maintenance chore. It reduces trips up and down ladders, a leading cause of DIY injuries. $10.

Concealed shelf: A powder-coated steel shelf that virtually disappears when loaded with books, this clever storage solution makes your library seem to float in the air. $11-$15.

Bugzooka: A fun and fabulous bug gun that sucks up insects and other pests so you don’t have to capture or squish them by hand. $29.

New York Botanical Garden Multi-Tool with Axe: This all-in-one tool helps consolidate your tool stash and will make you the star of your neighborhood tool co-op. It’s an axe, hammer, pair of pliers, wire cutter, chisel, wrench, and more. $48.

Gifts Under $100

Nature’s Foundry Universal Solar Pump Kit: Juiced by solar cells, this plastic insert turns any deep bowl into an outdoor fountain that attracts birds and calms nerves with a soothing gurgle. $60.

MoMA SunJar: Leave it to New York’s Museum of Modern Art to combine form and function in a mason jar that stores sun to provide outdoor lighting for your yard at night. The solar cells in the SunJar fuel a battery that lights the LED lamp inside. The result is a soft and steady glow. $50.

Cavalier pot: This clever flower pot fits over a porch or balcony railing without any hardware. The sunlight- and frost-resistant pot is 70% flax, so it’s a green way to grow greens. $95.

Click here for the full list of gifts on HouseLogic.com

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1. Doors and windows: This should be an obvious one. If you can see gaps between your siding and your windows or exterior doors, close them up with a bead of clear or paintable acrylic latex caulk. Larger gaps can be filled with foam backer rod before applying the caulking.

2. Exterior penetrations: Some of these areas are going to be obvious, while some may take a little bit of searching. Some examples of exterior penetrations where air can leak into the house include exterior faucets, dryer vents, exterior electrical outlets, exterior light fixtures, holes that have been drilled for phone and TV cables, conduit penetrations, exit points for plumbing drains, and penetrations for air conditioning lines. Closing these penetrations may require a variety of different techniques, including caulk, expanding spray foam, or, in the case of electrical boxes and fixtures, specific gaskets that are designed to fit the boxes.

3. Exhaust-vent covers: Dryer vents, range hood vents, bath fan vents, and other interior ventilation equipment typically terminate outside the house in a plastic or metal cover that has one or more louvers on it. The louvers are designed to be in the closed position whenever the fan is not in use, so that outside air doesn’t leak in. Check all of these louvers to be sure they’re closing completely, with no air leaks. If they aren’t, you can adjust the spring tension to hold them closed more tightly; add foam weatherstripping tape for a more air-tight seal; or replace the entire vent cap with a new one.

4. Gaps around interior vents and recessed lights: Inside your home, heated air can be leaking out around that same ventilation equipment, where vent pipes pass through the walls or ceiling, or where vent covers meet wall and ceiling surfaces. Recessed light fixtures can also be real air-leakers. Around the vent pipes and recessed light cans, seal any gaps with caulking. For the vent covers and recessed light covers, remove the covers, then adjust the springs and/or add foam weatherstripping tape to create a tight seal between the cover and the ceiling.

5. Heat-duct penetrations: Gaps around heating-duct cans where they pass through the floor or wall allow cold air to enter from the crawl space, while gaps around ceiling-duct cans allow heated air to escape into the attic. To close those drafts, first remove the register, then use a combination of caulking and/or metallic duct sealant tape to close any gaps between the sheet metal cans and the floor, wall or ceiling surface.

6. Fireplaces and woodstoves: Lots of gaps can occur around these appliances. With a conventional fireplace, keep the damper closed except when burning a fire to prevent heated air from escaping up the chimney. Consider investing in a set of air-tight doors, which close off the air leaks and also make your fires more efficient. Look for gaps around woodstove and gas fireplace flue pipes, and air leaks around masonry chimneys. Use a metal collar if necessary around flue pipe penetrations, and seal gaps with heat-resistant sealant specially formulated for this application.

7. Attic and crawl space hatches: These can be real air losers if they’re not weatherstripped, so take care of that with some foam tape. Make sure the hatches are insulated as well.

8. Interior doors to unheated spaces: If you have any interior doors that lead to unheated spaces, including basements, garages or attics, be sure the doors are weatherstripped to prevent air leakage. If possible, replace older, hollow-core doors with solid-core or, better yet, insulated metal doors.

9. Sill plates and penetrations: This one’s not as easy to deal with, but it’s well worth the effort to try to do whatever you can with it. Air can leak both into and out of the house through gaps where the sill plate meets the foundation or the siding, and around plumbing and wiring penetrations drilled through wall plates in various areas. If you have a gap between your siding and the bottom of your exterior wall, especially in older homes where the use of sill sealers was not a common practice, consider closing up this big air gap with a bead of caulking or expanding foam. In the basement, crawl space and attic, if you can access any of the pipes and wires that pass through the wall plates, seal the penetrations with expanding foam.

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1. Unemployment drops to lowest point since 2009

The unemployment rate is at 8.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report released today. That’s down from 9 percent last month and the lowest rate since March 2009.

2. Pending home sales up 10.3 percent in October

Pending home sales rose strongly in October and remain above year-ago levels.

3. Housing affordability at record levels

One benefit of this downturn is that housing affordability is near its highest level in more than twenty years. That means more long-term opportunity for remodelers as people get into houses they can actually pay for, unlike the boom years.

4. Consumer confidence up heading into year-end

While still depressed from the levels seen in a healthy economy, consumer confidence rebounded in November, according to the latest Conference Board monthly survey.

5. Existing home sales make surprising October jump

Existing-home sales improved in October while the number of homes on the market continued to decline, according to the National Association of Realtors.

6. Residential construction spending up 3.4 percent

Construction spending on residential properties was up 3.4 percent in October, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

7. Construction industry adds most jobs since 2006

Positive news on the job front today as payroll-processing giant ADP reports that November saw another 206,000 jobs added to the private business sector, well above what economists were projecting.

8. Builder confidence at 18-month high

Builder confidence in the new single-family homes market rose by three points to 20 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) for November.

9. Single-family starts increased in October

Single-family housing starts rose 3.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 430,000 units in October, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.

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There is something so gorgeous about an elegant, timeless, white kitchen!

Whether you enjoy trend-spotting or wrinkle your nose at the very thought, recurring trends are worth paying attention to, if for no other reason than what they say about the public taste vis-a-vis the times we’re living in. We’re talking about the return of the white kitchen, and if you’ve been in the business long enough, you’ve seen the trend before. So, why now? Depending on your point of view—and your clientele—explanations vary.

Economic: In a downturn, moderation prevails, and a white kitchen plays to a bigger variety of tastes than a red one.

Strategic: A kitchen that’s all white probably makes a home easier to sell.

Stylistic: If, faced with all that white, there’s a craving for color, a white kitchen makes it easier to add a splash of orange or apple-green. Psychological: In anxious, tumultuous times, white is calming.

While white may be neutral, it’s anything but bland – it’s reliable, timeless, and something that will never go out of style!

We couldn’t resist rounding up some more white kitchen inspiration for you to enjoy…

Beautiful custom cabinetry and lantern light fixtures makes this kitchen stunning!

Using dark colored countertops is a great way to bring contrast into a white kitchen.Layering shades of white, ivory and cream creates a lovely backdrop – perfect for antique accessories.How dramatic is this kitchen with its rich, ebony flooring?

What about you?  What do you love about a white kitchen?

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But what type of fireplace do you have in mind?  Here are a few basic ideas to get you started.

Fireplace Idea #1: Simple and Elegant Gas Fireplace

In most cases, you’ll start with an elegant, simple fireplace design. 

This gas fireplace is set off with a black slate surround with matching hearth, and a custom, site-built mantlepiece.

Fireplace Idea #2: Fireplace with Mosaic Tile Surround

For old world sophistication, consider a mosaic tile.

This type of fireplace surround is more labor intensive, but well worth a little additional cost.

In this example, a mini-mosaic was used, with a fabulous mixture of dark and light textures.

The site-built mantle and surround includes an entertainment niche with decorative columns.

Fireplace Idea #3: 42″ Fireplace with Raised Hearth and Framed TV Area

The fireplace is often the focal point of the room, and an oversized fireplace can make a vaulted room even more cozy.

Here, a raised hearth and intergrated, completely trimmed tv area make this fireplace a masterpiece.

Fireplace Idea #4 – Full Height Stone Surround

There’s nothing quite like a stone fireplace surround for a special look. 

Whether you’re aiming for a rustic lodge or a classic, timeless feel, stone is an excellent choice.

And stone doesn’t mean the tv has to move – ask about having your tv support installed ahead of time. 

Choosing a Fireplace for your New Custom Home

Your fireplace, surround and mantle can reflect your own personality across a variety of different budgets.   Ask Fairmont Homes for ideas that will work best for your new custom home!